Itinerary

Day 1.

7.40am - 8.30am (depending on your hotel location). Your vacation starts with a pick-up from San Jose by shuttle transport - forget the worries about public buses and safety. The driver will pick you up from your hotel reception (if it located in San Jose center) and if staying near the airport (in Alajuela) you just have to meet the shuttle at the Holiday Inn Express - which is less than a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport. Enjoy the scenery as you make your ascent to the beautiful green mountains of Monteverde (3 - 4 hours). There will be a stop along the way for a bathroom stop and a snack. The views of the distant Monteverde Cloud Forest are amazing as well as the Gulf of Nicoya. Now with the road improvements to Monteverde the journey is less of a challenge and more of a wonderful photo opportunity!

5.30pm Night Hike at Wildlife Refuge. A 2- hour, fun and informative hike with a bilingual guide, through a series of trails to observe the nightlife of a growing forest. The trails are well marked and easy to walk in the dusk’s failing light, yet rustic enough to remind you that you’re in a wilderness environment. The walk is generally flat, but there are some not-too-steep uphill and downhill sections. The type of wildlife you might see as day turns to night includes porcupines, toucans and other sleeping birds, owls, agoutis, coati mundis, snakes, walking sticks, tarantulas, katydids, and an array of other cool insects. Once it gets really dark you will hear the creatures that move around at night!

Please bear in mind that there are no guaranteed sightings, so don’t expect all these creatures to be waiting just for you! Typically though, this time of transition into night offers a good opportunity to view nocturnal mammals as well as diurnal animals as they prepare for night.

Day 2.

Enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Monteverde Zone. The horseback ride will be along little used back roads passing by farms of coffee, sugar cane and bananas.The route offers open views of the surrounding countryside as well as the Gulf of Nicoya. Children's saddles and helmets are available. Rain ponchos (if necessary!) are provided. The horseback ride is fully insured and only experienced guides are used and the ride is suitable for first time riders as well as fun for more experienced riders.

Horse Trek Monteverde have some of the best horses in the area and are recommended by many of the guidebooks. The horses are healthy and well-loved and this cannot be stressed enough! The company ensures regular health checks by vets and has been working hard over the years to give horseback riding a good reputation.

Adventura Canopy Tour in Monteverde Costa Rica now has the longest zipline in Latin America! At 1590 meters long this is thrill that you will remember for a long, long time! The tour includes 11 ziplines, a swinging rope bridge, an exciting rappel and 2 thrilling superman cables (where you literally fly through and over the forest face-forward, just like superman!). Also included in this amazing tour is a MEGA Tarzan Swing: this swings to a height of 45 meters (148ft).

Adventura Canopy Tour in Monteverde Costa Rica now has the longest zipline in Latin America! At 1590 meters long this is thrill that you will remember for a long, long time! The price of the Adventura Canopy includes 11 ziplines, a swinging rope bridge, an exciting rappel and 2 thrilling superman cables (where you literally fly through and over the forest face-forward, just like superman! Also included in this amazing tour is a MEGA Tarzan Swing: this swings to a height of 45 meters (148ft). - See more at: http://www.monteverdetours.com/adventura-canopy-monteverde-costa-rica.html#sthash.dyawFwHY.dpuf

Day 3.

8.10am. Today you will go to La Fortuna, the nearest village to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Arenal Volcano. You will travel by what is locally known as "taxi-boat-taxi".

This is a method of getting from Monteverde to La Fortuna and takes about 3.5 hours and involves the following:

- 1.5 hour microbus ride from Monteverde to Arenal Lake. plus a stop for bathrooms etc and waiting time

- 30 minute boat ride on beautiful Arenal Lake on the foot of the volcano.

A visit to Costa Rica is not complete without seeing Arenal's famous volcano! Hike through lush rainforest with an experienced naturalist, bilingual guide who will point out flora and fauna in the primary and secondary rainforest that lines the base of the Arenal Volcano. You'll then arrive at the observation point - the closest you can get to the base of Arenal Volcano . At sunset the view becomes even more awesome. Note though.. that over the last 5 years there has been no lava activity, although your can still hear it and it is still emitting gases. However, tours are still very interesting as you learn about the history of this impressive volcano!

Hike Duration: 1.5-2 hours of an easy hike (although there are some muddy sections and a little uphill)

After the night hike we will take you to Baldi Hot Springs where you can soak any aches away from the past few day's activities. Located near La Fortuna, these Arenal hot springs is a place where you can really relax and pamper yourself. Baldi's has a series of pools and hot springs fed by Arenal Volcano which are set amid glorious tropical gardens so that you can relax in the water, while enjoying the surroundings. The pools vary in temperature, from the temperature of a swimming pool to the warmest at around 39C (102F). It's a place where, on a clear night, you can sit in a warm pool, sipping the cocktail of your choice, while viewing Arenal Volcano.

You might also decide to pamper your body by opting for one of the many body treatments which are available such as massage, reflexology, body polish, volcanic mud wraps and facials (these are not included on the tour).

Day 4.

The canyoneeringtakes place in the Lost Canyon - an incredible canyon just 15 minutes from La Fortuna with great views of Arenal Volcano and EIGHT amazing tropical waterfalls (4 of which you will rappel down). Two of the waterfalls are more than 50 meters high! During the rafting you will be given a snack.

After the canyoneering you will head off for an exciting whitewater rafting trip on one of Costa Rica’s most-beautiful class 2-3 rivers. Challenge yourself as you paddle through fun & safe rolling rapids with names like “Morning Coffee” & “Rock around the Croc” and then play around in tranquil river pools in an isolated rainforest river canyon!

Your professional, experienced bilingual guides will give you a safety talk and paddling instruction, lifejackets, helmets & then you’re off. During the tour, along the river banks, wildlife is often spotted including monkeys, sloths and tropical birds such as ospreys, oropendolas and toucans. This unique river trip is the best way to combine adventure and nature. A fruit and water break will be given during a break from rafting and after the trip we'll set off for a delicious home made lunch.

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Day 5.

1.00pm Approx. Onward Transport.

After the tour your shuttle bus is included back to San Jose (and if there is one available main beaches available we can book you on this). We can upgrade to a private transport for $33 per person and you can leave when you like (before 7.00pm).

Details

Monteverde Hotels: 2 nights. NOTE FOR AN EXTRA COST WE CAN UPGRADE THE HOTELS

In Monteverde we use Hotel Sunset whenever possible. Hotel Sunset is a family run B&B located between Santa Elena and the Santa Elena Reserve. The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with private bathroom and plenty of hot water. Breakfast is included in the package; just let them know what time you would like it.

Arenal Volcano Hotels: 2 nights NOTE FOR AN EXTRA COST WE CAN UPGRADE THE HOTELS

Located in the center of the town of La Fortuna, Hotel San Bosco provides simple but comfortable rooms with a/c, cable TV and private bathroom. Plus the hotel has a pool, jacuzzi and includes breakfast.

Beach Extensions! Ask for details about adding some days at the beach - we can arrange all transport, hotels and tours. Manuel Antonio beach and Samara beach are popular choices.We have many contacts with Manuel Antonio hotels.

We can also arrange hotels and transport in San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica. Please let us know if you need our help. desafio@monteverdetours.com

Details

Minimum 2 people (Double occupancy): $629 per person up to Dec 15th 2015

Dates of trip: We can schedule dates by request. Included on Trip: All accommodation except in San Jose (which can arrange for an additional cost), all transport, all tours in the itinerary, all breakfasts and 1 lunch and guides

Not Included: Flights to Costa Rica, hotels in San Jose*, evening meals and some lunches, optional tours or transportation to other places not included in the schedule

NOTE: Adventure tours such as whitewater rafting, horse riding, kayaking, canyoneering and hiking require physical effort. Clients should be in good condition. For client safety and enjoyment, Desafio Adventure Company reserves the right to offer a substitution, postpone, change or cancel any tour due to unfavorable conditions. Full refund is given if (on rare occasion) a tour is cancelled. Desafio Adventure Company and its affiliates are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.